The Governing Board shall regulate, direct, and administer the rendering of the 9-1-1 public calls response services and the assignment of said calls to public safety agencies and other emergency services providers authorized by the agencies and the Board, for their prompt attention. In order to fulfill this purpose, the Board shall adopt the necessary regulations and administrative procedures and shall organize itself in the form it deems most effective.
In order to carry out the functions imposed by this chapter, the Board is empowered to:
(a) Determine the geographic areas where the 9-1-1 and 3-1-1 Services shall be offered and the responsibility of each participating agency or instrumentality in the rendering of said service.
(b) Receive and use technical help, personnel, equipment, facilities, services, and materials from the government agencies mentioned above, or from any other related civic organization, or government enterprise or agency.
(c) Facilitate the integration of municipal emergency services that are compatible with Commonwealth services and which the Board deems as reasonable and convenient to integrate to the 9-1-1 and 3-1-1 systems.
(d) Organize activities and operations to generate funds, accept gifts and contributions from private and public entities empowered to do so.
(e) Plan and implement the services and technologies deemed convenient. Contract the necessary professional services and others, for the operation of the 9-1-1 system, and to meet its responsibilities, including the acquisition, installation and operation of equipment, systems, materials and pertinent services, without excluding the operation of the 9-1-1 call-receiving center, nor the rendering of emergency services where the conditions do so merit.
(f) Set aside future income from the collection of telephone subscriber fees to ensure the payment of loans, mortgages, rental rates, and any other financial transaction that allows for the purchase or lease of equipment, systems, and facilities to render 9-1-1 and 3-1-1 services.
(g) To borrow or obtain money in advance from the Government Development Bank, the Department of the Treasury or any public or private institution.
(h) Transfer, give, lease or sell to public safety agencies or to related civic entities the equipment, systems, materials, and professional and personal services they require to meet the objectives of this chapter, and that have been acquired by the Board under its provisions.
(i) Appoint an Executive Director and the necessary personnel for the administration and compliance of the Board of Governors operations and the control of the available funds. Fix the salaries, emoluments and per diems of said personnel within the limits established by this chapter.
(j) Take measures and implement mechanisms as are necessary to establish, develop, and manage the 3-1-1 Citizen Service Center.
History —Dec. 22, 1994, No. 144, § 4; Aug. 3, 1995, No. 108, § 3; Nov. 7, 2010, No. 164, § 1; July 12, 2011, No. 126, § 3.